Ramesh Nair (born 1965) is a Paris-based fashion designer and artistic director. He is recognized for leading the revival of heritage luxury houses, including Moynat (2010âÂÂ2020) and Joseph Duclos (2020âÂÂpresent).
Nair was born in Kerala, India, into a military family. Due to his fatherâÂÂs service, he moved frequently during his childhood, a period he has credited with teaching him the "art of reinvention."
Nair originally pursued a scientific path, earning a degree in Zoology. He has noted that his background in dissection provided an early understanding of structural anatomy, which he later applied to the construction of leather goods. He was part of the inaugural batch of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in New Delhi in 1986. He later moved to Paris to complete a MasterâÂÂs degree at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM).
Following early experience with Yohji Yamamoto and Christian Lacroix, Nair joined Hermès in 2000. He served as a senior designer for womenswear, working under the creative direction of Martin Margiela and Jean-Paul Gaultier.
During this tenure, he was responsible for several of the house's handbag designs, most notably the Birkin Shadow (2009). The design utilized a trompe-l'à Âil effect, where the silhouettes of the BirkinâÂÂs traditional hardware and straps were embossed into the leather to create a "shadow" illusion. He also designed the "Paris-Bombay" bag for the house's permanent collection.
In 2010, Nair was appointed Artistic Director of Moynat by Bernard Arnault following the brand's acquisition by Groupe Arnault. Tasked with relaunching a house that had been dormant since 1976, Nair reconstructed its identity by researching historical trunk-making techniques. He introduced the "Limousine" curve, a concave base for handbags inspired by vintage automobile trunks, and designed signature models including the Réjane and the Pauline. During this period, he described his design approach as "breathing life back into a sleeping beauty," focusing on how objects feel and age over time rather than following temporary trends.
Nair joined Joseph Duclos in 2020 as Artistic Director. The house is based on a Royal Manufacture established in 1754, in the French town of Lectoure. His work there focuses on Haute Maroquinerie, utilizing 18th-century French tanning and artisanal methods. His flagship design for the house, the Diane bag, features a pendulum-style metal closure inspired by historical military costumes and gunpowder sacks.
Nair utilizes a concept he calls "invisible design," prioritizing technical complexity and the sensory qualities of materials over visible branding. He has argued that true luxury is found in the "soul" of the material and the precision of the construction rather than a logo.
Ramesh Nair's designs are frequently chosen by public figures, royalty, and figures in the arts and entertainment industries. These include First Ladies of France Brigitte Macron and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, as well as Queen Camilla, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and entertainers such as Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Margot Robbie, Reese Witherspoon, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Kylie Jenner, Fan Bingbing, Natalia Vodianova, and CL.